Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

We are in the digital age where video rental is a thing of the past. Most people no longer even own a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder). I can’t even remember the last time I went somewhere to rent a DVD. I don’t even subscribe to cable or satellite TV anymore. All the movies I see now are all online through a digital streaming movie service. I have ranked these in order of best to worst.

Netflix – After trying out all of the different services Netflix is still my favorite. Pros – Works on game consoles, iPads, tablets etc. Finding what you want to watch is easy to find. Has the largest selection of past seasons TV/Cable TV episodes of the most popular shows including BBC TV shows. Movies all stream in 1080p Super HD, which is higher resolution than competitors where you have to pay additional to view in higher resolution. Cons – Newer movies may not be available as soon as other movie services get them. Smaller selection of new release movies, newer TV shows you usually need to wait longer for them to be released.Cost –$7.99with 1 month free trial.

AmazonPrime – Convenient and easy. Pros – Works on game consoles, iPads, tablets etc. Finding what you want to watch is easy to find. Movies are similar selection to Netflix with some newer movies. Cons – Most movies stream at a lower resolution. You are charged and additional amount to view movies in HD and higher resolution. There is an additional charge to watch some new release movies, newer TV shows you usually need to wait longer for them to be released. Cost –$99 per year, with a 30 day free trial.

RedBox – Instant Streaming movies with kiosk rentals. Pros –Works on game consoles, iPads, tablets etc. Finding what you want to watch is easy to find. Has the best selection on the newest release movies. Cons – Most new release movies have to be picked up at a kiosk and are not available in instant streaming mode. Fewer movies overall than Netflix and Amazon, extremely limited TV show selection. Charges higher price to watch blue ray movies.Cost –$8 per month, with 1 month free trial, includes 4 kiosk rentals. $3 per movie rental, if you don’t want to subscribe to monthly service.

Hulu Plus – Very limited selection for those that don’t subscribe to cable TV. Pros –Works on game consoles, iPads, tablets etc. Has a good selection of the newest TV/Cable TV episodes of the most popular shows, great selection on movie trailers. Cons – Not as user friendly compared to other service providers. Commercials are often added to TV Shows. Newer movies may only have trailers to watch and charge an additional cost to watch the movie.Cost –$7.99 per month, with 7 day free trial.

There has been a huge buzz going on all over twitter, YouTube. I had to wounder what the huge buzz was about with Charlie Chaplin as the main topic. This is very interesting, a video was posted that is “supposedly” to be from 1928. What do you think is this real or a hoax? Can you see something from modern times?

I personally don’t think this is real. If this is real footage from 1928, why did someone just barley discover it this week? I watched the video first before reading any of the comments and it’s very easy to detect. I’d like to know your thoughts, what do you think?

All broadcasting television stations across America are required to go digital. Time is running out, if you haven’t already purchased a Converter Box to convert your signal to digital, on February 17,2009 you could be soon staring at a blank screen. If you have satellite or Cable TV you probably won’t need one. The federal government has issued a limited number of $40 gift cards to help you with the purchase of a new converter box. They have an expiration date so if you don’t use it, you will be out of luck. Only one person per house hold can apply. Request a $40 coupon toward the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box. Go to https://www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 for details.

Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to review Converter Boxes. To hook up a converter box it’s as easy as hooking up a VCR or DVD. I have listed a number of different bands and where they can be purchased.

RCA DT800B – Good reception went from 9 channels to 24 channels. The remote is very simple and easy to use, can be programed to use with any TV. $49 Can be purchased at Walmart, Kmart, Sears. I recommend this as the best value and easiest to use for the consumer.A

Zenith DTT901 – Reports excellent reception. The remote is more complex and has more features than other boxes. $59 Can be purchased at Circuit City. 10% of users report problems within 30 days, has a 90 day warranty. A-

Magnavox TB110MW9 – Good reception went from 9 channels to 20 channels. The remote is easy to use, has menu details of whats on each channel and whats scheduled to come on next. $49 Can be purchased at Walmart, Kmart, Sears. No volume setting on the remote, must use with your existing TV remote. B

Insignia NS-DXAI – Good reception, similar design as the Magnavox. The remote is easy to use, has menu details of whats on each channel and whats scheduled to come on next. $59 Can be purchased at BestBuy, RadioShack, Target, Walmart. No Closed caption, 20% of users report problems after 4 months, has a 90 day warranty. B-

Digital Stream DTX9950 – Reports excellent reception. The remote is is more complex has more features than most other boxes. $59 Can be purchased at RadioShack. Can’t be programed to use with all TV’s, 30% of users report problems after 3 months. B-

Apex DT502 – Reports OK reception. The remote is very simple and easy to use. $49 Can be purchased at Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City. 90% of users don’t like the remote, has very few features must use with your existing TV remote. 20% of users report problems after 3 months. C-

GE 22730 – OK to Poor reception when compared with other models. Box has a cool design, remote is limited with small buttons. $49 Can be purchased at Target. 90% of users don’t like the remote. D

Here is an article that will help you to go digital. It has information on how to hook up your converter box. http://TwitPWR.com/2dk/

The CES show (Consumer Electronics Show) is the largest convention held in Las Vegas every year. I have frequented to many Auto Shows, but none of them compare to the mobile electronics section at CES. You can see everything from the absolute wild to just your everyday car. There are many exciting things to see, but my favorite part is always the cars. I have posted some of the most popular exhibits.